‘Men’s growing breasts and belly are a deformity, such a nauseating art form cannot be found anywhere in the world’

THRISSUR: Actor and writer V K Sreeraman has drawn widespread criticism over a Facebook post in which he criticised Pulikali, the traditional folk-art form of Thrissur. He wrote on social media that such a nauseating artistic deformity could not be found anywhere else. He also described the growth of men’s breasts and bellies as a physical deformity.

Following the post, strong criticism was directed at Sreeraman, but he responded that he stood by his remarks. Pulikali groups also stepped forward against him. Many comments appeared under the post, with people pointing that Pulikali is a livelihood for many and questioning whether he had similar objections to artists transforming their bodies for film roles.

Sreeraman shared the note along with a photograph, captioning it satirically as ‘Pulikali Kalari in the picture.’

Sreeraman’s Facebook post
‘The growth of breasts and bellies in men is a physical deformity.
Using that deformity in the name of art is vulgar. Nowhere in the world can one find such a nauseating artistic deformity.
Subran Sami says that this is an Indian art form and that the Natyashastra mentions this belly-shaking dance as ‘Shardoolavikreeditham’.
That is some consolation.
Pulikali Kalari in the picture.’